Cleaning brush device

ABSTRACT

A cleaning brush device. The device has a relatively flat casing having an opening at one end with a first brush member fixed within the casing. A second brush member is adapted to be inserted into and pulled out of the casing through the opening. Short bristles are closely implanted on one surface of the first brush member to form a dust removing surface, and short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the second brush member to form a cleaning brush surface. The bristles on the first brush member are inclined in a direction away from the opening, and the bristles on the second brush member are inclined in the same direction as those of the bristles on the first brush member. The first brush member and the second brush member are thus engageable with each other at their respective bristles as the second brush member is inserted into or pulled out of the casing, and means are provided for holding the pulled-out second brush member on the casing so that the cleaning brush surface thereon is exposed so as to be engageable with an article to be cleaned by brushing.

Tsuruzawa et al.

[ CLEANING BRUSH DEVICE [76] Inventors: Teruya Tsuruzawa, 22-8, Nishi 3-chome, Senriyama, Suita; Muneyuki Ueda, 6-23, Kurakuen Sanbancho, Nishinomiya, both of Japan Notice: The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to May 27, 1992, has been disclaimed.

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 518,933

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 395,000, Sept. 7, 1973.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 9, 1972 Japan 47-90719 [52] US. Cl. 15/184 [51] Int. Cl. A46B 17/04 [58] Field of Search 15/38, 48, 104.92, 104.5, 15/184, 185, 221, 258

[56] References Cited .UNITED STATES PATENTS 685,765 11/1901 Jacobs 15/184 2,764,770 10/1956 Frank 15/185 X II/IIj/I III II 1*Dec. 16, 1975 Primary E.\'aminerDaniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [5 7] ABSTRACT A cleaning brush device. The device has a relatively flat casing having an opening at one end with a first brush member fixed within the casing. A second brush member is adapted to be inserted into and pulled out of the casing through the opening. Short bristles are closely implanted on one surface of the first brush member to form a dust removing surface, and short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the second brush member to form a cleaning brush surface. The bristles on the first brush member are inclined in a direction away from the opening, and the bristles on the second brush member are inclined in the same direction as those of the bristles on the first brush member. The first brush member and the second brush member are thus engageable with each other at their respective bristles as the second brush member is inserted into or pulled out of the casing, and means are provided for holding the pulled-out second brush member on the casing so that the cleaning brush surface thereon is exposed so as to be engageable with an article to be cleaned by brushing.

3 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,925,843

us. Patent Dec.16,1975 She et2of4 3,925,843

g I I8 7 I US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet4of4 3,925,843

CLEANING BRUSH DEVICE This is a division of application Ser. No. 395,000 filed Sept. 7, 1973.

This invention relates to a cleaning brush and more particularly to a cleaning brush having angled short bristles for cleaning and means for automatically removing dust or the like taken up by and accumulated among the bristles and also means for collecting the dust or the like so removed, and having a compact structure.

'A cleaning brush provided with a brush surface having numerous short bristles closely implanted thereon and inclined in the same or one direction is known (US. Pat. No. 3,421,171 patented Jan. 14, 1969). Because of its outstanding cleaning effect, this type of cleaning brush has introduced an innovation in the conventional concept of brushes for cleaning. Thus when the brush is moved on an article to be cleaned in the direction of the inclination of the bristles and in sliding contact therewith dust, lint or the like (hereinafter referred to simply as dust) is readily swept off the article and caught up among the bristles, and unless subjected to an external force, the dust is retained among the bristles against dropping. This new type of brush may well be regarded as an innovation from the view of its surprising cleaning effect in contrast to a conventional brush comprising relatively long and vertical bristles which merely serve to remove dust from one place to another or to brush the dust off an article to be cleaned.

In spite of the remarkable cleaning effect, however, the brush of the type described above has a drawback. More specifically, although the brush achieves such an outstanding cleaning effect that the dust once swept and taken up among the bristles will not drop therefrom unless subjected to an external force, this remarkable advantage inevitably results in the necessity that the brush surface itself has to be cleaned frequently because the dust deposited or accumulated among the bristles will deteriorate the subsequent brushing action and effectxFurther, in order to remove the dust accumulated in the brush surface, it has to be rubbed with considerable pressure by a cloth, tooth brush or the like in the direction of inclination of the bristles. This is not only troublesome but also undesirable since the users hands will get soiled.

Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a brush device of the type described above but having no such drawback as explained above.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide a brush device of the type described above but having means for automatically removing dust from the brush surface.

Another object of this invention is to provide a brush device of the type described above but having means for automatically removing dust from the brush surface and for collecting the dust so removed, and having a pocketable compact structure.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

Briefly, the cleaning brush device according to this invention comprises a relatively flat casing having an opening at its end, a first brush member fixed within said casing, a second brush member adapted to be inserted into and pulled out of the casing through said opening, short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the first brush member to form a dust removing surface, short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the second brush member to form a cleaning brush surface, the bristles on the first brush member being angled toward the direction opposite to said opening, the bristles on the second brush member being inclined in the same direction as that of the bristles on the first brush member, the first brush member and the second brush member being engageable with each other at their respective bristles as the second brush member is inserted into or pulled out of the casing, and means for holding the pulled-out second brush member on the casing with the cleaning brush surface thereon being exposed so as to be engageable with an article to be cleaned for brush-cleaning the article.

It is preferable that the bristles have a length of 2 7 mm and the degree of thier inclination is 3 more preferably 15 60.

If desired a handle may be attached to the casing to facilitate the brush-cleaning operation.

The holding of the second brush member on the casing for conducting the brush-cleaning operation may be effected in any suitable way. One preferable manner is to pull the second brush member out of the casing and to retain it on the casing so that the cleaning brush surface is exposed. The other way is to pull the second brush member out of the casing and then to insert the same into another position of the casing where the cleaning brush surface is exposed through another opening formed on the casing. In any of these cases the second brush member does not extend beyond the casing, so as to be compact.

Preferably there is formed a dust collecting compartment within the casing.

The brush device having the above mentioned structure and arrangement according to this invention works as follows. When the second brush member is in the position held on the casing, with the cleaning brush surface being exposed, the brush is in the condition for conducting the brush-cleaning operation. When the brush device in this state is moved in the direction of inclination of the bristles while contacting the exposed brush surface of the second brush member with an article to be cleaned, the inclined bristles on the cleaning brush surface engage the article to perform brushing and the dust on the article is swept off and taken up and retained among the bristles on the cleaning brush surface. The cleaning action and effect achieved by an inclined bristle brush of this type are known per se as explained hereinbefore.

Then the second brush member is removed from the above mentioned position and inserted into the casing through the end opening. During this insertion movement the bristles on the second brush member slide on and contact the bristles on the first brush member. Since the direction of inclination of the bristles on the first brush member is same as that of the bristles on the second brush member, the dust retained or accumulated in the brush surface of the second brush member as a result of the preceding cleaning or brushing step remains in the brush surface without being removed by the bristles on the first brush member. When the second brush member has been completely inserted into the casing the brush device is in inoperative state and may be put ones pocket.

Then, when brush-cleaning is desired, the second brush member is pulled out of the casing. During this pulling-out operation the bristles on the first brush member engage with the bristleson the second brush member so that the dust retained among the bristles on the second brush member is combed off by and transferred into the bristles (i.e. dust removing surface) on the first brush member. Thus the cleaning brush surface of the second brush member is cleaned by the dust removing surface of the first brush member and is rendered ready for the subsequent brushing operation. After thesecond brush member has been fully pulled out of the casing the brush member is moved to the position where the brush member is fixed on the casing so that the cleaning brush surface is exposed. The brush device is now ready for the brushing operation.

After conducting the brushing in this state in the manner as explained hereinbefore, the second brush member is again removed from the above position and then inserted into the casing through the end opening. During this insertion movement the dust taken-up by and in the brush surface of the second brush member is retained therein for the reason explained before, while the dust already taken up and retained among the bristles (i.e., bristles on the dust removing surface) on the first brush member is pushed and forced within the dust removing bristles but toward the direction of the movement of the second brush member by the tips of the advancing inclined bristles on the second brush member.

With repetition of such operation, the dust on the first brush member is gradually pushed up and finally out of the first brush member into a dust collecting space or compartment. Thus the cleaning brush surface (the bristles on the second brush member) is always cleaned before brushing is conducted while the dust taken-up by the bristles on the second brush member after the brushing is transferred to the bristles on the first brush member and is ultimately collected out of the first brush member into the dust collecting compartment. The dust accumulated within the dust collecting compartment may be disposed of by any suit able manner.

The invention will be further explained by referring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

' FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush device,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the brush of FIG. 1 but showing the state where the second brush member has been pulled out of the casing,

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the brush device wherein the second brush member is held on the bottom of the brush device for conducting brushing operation,

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FiG. 3 but showing the state wherein the upper cover of the casing is opened,

FIG. 8 is view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the state ,wherein-the upper cover of the casing is partly opened,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing a modified embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the preferred embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 11 is a cross-section taken along the line XIXI of FIG. 10 except that the second brush member is in the state ready for brushing operation, and

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the brush device shown in FIG. 11.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 8 which show a first embodiment, the brush device comprises a casing C which has an opening 1 at one end, opposite side walls 2, 2, upper cover 3 and bottom wall 4 and is closed at the other end 5. The upper cover plate 3 is pivotally mounted on the casing C by means of pivots 6. Provided on the inner surface of the cover plate 3 is a first brush member 7 which, in the embodiment shown, is composed of a strip with numerous short bristles 7' inclined in a direction away from the opening 1. Indicated with the numeral 8 is a second brush member having a strip with numerous short bristles 8 which are inclined in the same direction as the bristles 7' on the first brush member 7. The first brush member 7 is provided near the opening 1 and has a length shorter than the length of the cover plate 3 so that there is formed a space 9 which serves as a dust collecting compartment. As is shown, the second brush member 8 is longer than the first brush member 7. Guide pins 10, 10 projecting from the opposite sides of the second brush member 8 at its end engage in the respective guide grooves 11, 11 formed along the lower portions of the inner surface of the opposite side walls 2, 2. The second brush member 8 can be inserted into and pulled out of the casing C with the guide pins 10, 10 being guided by the guide grooves 11, 11. As the second brush member 8 is inserted or pulled out of the casing C through the opening 1 the bristles 8 on the second brush member 8 engage with the bristles 7' on the first brush member 7. The second brush member 8 has at its forward end a drawing edge 12, on the rear face on which is a projection 13 which is snap-engageable and disengageable with a slit 14 formed on the end wall 5 (FIG. 2). The upper cover plate 3 has a projection 15 which is snapengageable and disengageable with a slit (FIG. 2) formed on the end wall 5.

When the brush is not used the second brush member 8 is inserted into the casing C as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The device is very compact and is convenient to carry.

When it is desired to use the brush device the second brush member 8 is pulled out of the casing C by holding the drawing edge 12. After the second brush member 8 has been fully pulled, as shown in FIG. 4, it is turned reversely as indicated in the phantom lines in FIG. 4 to bring the projection 13 into engagement with the slit 14. The second brush member 8 is thus retained on the under side of the casing to expose the cleaning brush strip on its upper surface. The brush device is now ready for use or brush-cleaning.

After brushing, the projection 13 is disengaged from the slit l4 and the second brush member 8 is turned to the position indicated in the solid line in FIG. 4 and is then pushed (inserted) into the casing C through its opening 1.

With repetition of the above operation, due to the special cooperation between the bristles 7' on the first brush member 7 and the bristles 8 on the second brush member 8, the cleaning brush surface or the bristles 8' on the second brush member 8 is always cleaned before brushing is conducted, while the dust taken-up by the bristles 8' on the second brush member 8 after the brushing is transferred to the bristles 7' on the first brush member 7 and is ultimately collected out of the first brusn member into the dust collecting compartment 9. This has already been explained before in detail. The dust accumulated within the dust collecting compartment 9 may be disposed of in any suitable manner. For example, the upper cover plate 3 is disengaged from the casing C at 15 is opened about the pivots 6 as shown in FIG. 7 so that the dust in the compartment 9 is readily removed.

While the casing C and associated brush members 7 and 8 shown are somewhat arcuate, it is, of course, possible to produce them flat or straight.

In some cases it may be more convenient to provide an operating handle. FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment wherein the casing C has on its opposite side walls 2, 2 handle holders 16, 16 for removably attaching a handle 17. The handle is made removable because the brush surface is directional and a fixed handle may cause inconvenience in use. If desired this device may be used without the handle.

FIGS. 10 12 show the preferred embodiment of the invention in which corresponding elements are indicated by corresponding reference numerals. In this embodiment the first brush member 7 is formed on a guide plate fixed within the casing C. The guide plate may serve as a bottom wall of the casing C. Each side wall 2 extends downwardly beyond the guide or bottom plate 20 and the lower edge is bent inwardly to form a guide groove 21 extending below the guide plate 20 and along the lower inner face of the side wall 2'. The forward end each side wall 2 is bent inwardly to form a stopper edge 22. When the brush device is not is use, the second brush member 8 stays within the casing C but above the first brush member 7 as shown in FIG. 10. When it is desired to use the brush device, the second brush member 8 is pulled out of the casing by holding the drawing edge 12 until the guide pins 10, 10 on the second brush member 8 contact the respective stopper edges 22, 22. The length of the guide plate 20 is such that there is formed a space between the forward edge thereof and the stopper edges 22, 22. Therefore when the second brush member 8 is fully pulled out so that the guide pins 10, 10 contact the stopper edges 22, 22, the second brush member 8 will drop through the space formed between the stopper edges 22, 22 and the forward edge of the guide or bottom plate 20, and the guide pins 10, 10 will engage with the respective guide grooves 21, 21. Then the second brush member 8 is pushed and inserted along the guide grooves 21, 21. Upon completion of the insertion the projection 13 on the drawing edge 12 is snap-engaged with the slit 14 formed on the upper cover plate 3 so that the second brush member 8 is locked to the casing. In this state the cleaning brush surface or bristles 8' on the second brush member 8 is exposed at the bottom of the casing as shown in FIG. 1 1 so that the brush device is now ready for use or brush- After the use or brushing the projection 13 is disengaged from the slit 14 and the second brush member 8 is pulled until the guide pins l0, 10 contact the stopper edges 22, 22. Then the second brush member 8 is moved upwardly through the space between the stopper edges 22, 22 and the forward end of the guide plate 20 so that the second brush member 8 is placed on the guide plate 20 (or the first brush member 7) and is pushed or inserted into the casing while engaging the bristles 8 on the second brush member 8 with the bristles 7 on the first brush member 7. The working cooperation between the bristles 7 and bristles 8 is exactly same as that explained hereinbefore so that no further explanation thereabout will be necessary.

Except for the above explained features, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 12 is substantially same as that shown in FIGS. 1 8 in its construction and operation.

What we claim is:

l. A cleaning brush device comprising: a relatively flat casing having an opening at one end; a guide plate positioned within the casing and defining first and second regions therein, said guide plate having a length less than the length of said casing, whereby said regions are in communication with one another in the vicinity of said casing opening; a first brush member formed on said guide plate; a second brush member adapted to be inserted into and pulled out of said casing through said opening, said second brush member being positioned within said first region for storage, and positioned within said second region when using said brush; short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the first brush member to form a dust removing surface; short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the second brush member to form a cleaning brush surface, bristles on the first brush surface being inclined in the direction away from said opening; the bristles on the second brush member being inclined in the same direction as the bristles on the first brush member, the bristles of said first brush member and said second brush member being engageable with one another as the second brush member is inserted into or pulled out of the casing; and means for holding the pulled-out second brush member on the casing when inserted in the second region so that the cleaning brush surface thereof is exposed so as to be engageable with an article to be cleaned for brushmg.

2. A cleaning brush device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a guide means provided below the guide plate for positioning the second brush member, after full extension thereof from said casing, below said guide with the bristles on the second brush member exposed for use.

3. A cleaning brush as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an upper cover plate pivotally coupled to said casing. 

1. A cleaning brush device comprising: a relatively flat casing having an opening at one end; a guide plate positioned within the casing and defining first and second regions therein, said guide plate having a length less than the length of said casing, whereby said regions are in communication with one another in the vicinity of said casing opening; a first brush member formed on said guide plate; a second brush member adapted to be inserted into and pulled out of said casing through said opening, said second brush member being positioned within said first region for storage, and positioned within said second region when using said brush; short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the first brush member to form a dust removing surface; short bristles closely implanted on one surface of the second brush member tO form a cleaning brush surface, bristles on the first brush surface being inclined in the direction away from said opening; the bristles on the second brush member being inclined in the same direction as the bristles on the first brush member, the bristles of said first brush member and said second brush member being engageable with one another as the second brush member is inserted into or pulled out of the casing; and means for holding the pulled-out second brush member on the casing when inserted in the second region so that the cleaning brush surface thereof is exposed so as to be engageable with an article to be cleaned for brushing.
 2. A cleaning brush device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a guide means provided below the guide plate for positioning the second brush member, after full extension thereof from said casing, below said guide with the bristles on the second brush member exposed for use.
 3. A cleaning brush as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an upper cover plate pivotally coupled to said casing. 